In Brief Yes, you can go to jail for touching someone in the UK. If the touching is sexual, it may be charged as sexual assault by touching under Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment ....
In Brief Under UK law, viewing and possessing illegal pornography are treated as separate offences, but both can lead to serious criminal charges. Viewing or downloading an indecent image is typically prosecuted as “making” an image under...
In Brief Possession with intent to supply (PWITS) Class A drugs is a serious offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The sentencing range spans a high-level community order to 16 years’ custody....
In Brief A life sentence in the UK does not usually mean the offender will spend the rest of their life in prison. In most cases, the judge sets a minimum term (also called a tariff) that the offender must serve before they can be considered for release...
In Brief All criminal cases in England and Wales begin at the Magistrates’ Court. Whether you have been charged with a minor motoring offence or a serious criminal matter, your first court appearance will take place before a Magistrates’ Court....
In Brief In most cases, the difference between murder and manslaughter comes down to intent. Murder requires proof that the defendant intended to kill or cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). Manslaughter covers unlawful killings where that specific intent...
In Brief If you have been charged with a criminal offence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for deciding whether your case proceeds to trial. The CPS can drop charges at any stage before conviction – either through discontinuance or...
In Brief There is no general time limit on how long a police investigation can last in England and Wales. For indictable and either-way offences, the police can investigate for as long as they consider necessary. For summary-only offences, proceedings must...
In Brief Voyeurism is a criminal offence in the UK under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It involves observing or recording someone doing a private act without their consent and for the purpose of sexual gratification. Voyeurism carries a maximum sentence of...
Grievous bodily harm (GBH) is one of the most serious assault offences in English and Welsh law. If you or someone you know is facing a GBH charge, understanding the sentencing guidelines is essential. This guide explains the sentences for both Section 18...
In Brief A community resolution is an informal, non-statutory disposal used by police in England and Wales to deal with low-level criminal offences without taking the matter to court. It is not a conviction and does not appear on your criminal record....
If you or someone you know has been charged with sexual assault, understanding the potential sentence is likely your most pressing concern. This guide explains how UK courts approach sexual assault sentencing, the factors that influence whether you face a...
Being accused of indecent exposure is a serious matter that can result in imprisonment and placement on the Sex Offenders Register. This guide explains the law under Section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, including recent changes under the Crime and...
In Brief Cocaine is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the most serious category Maximum penalty for possession: 7 years’ imprisonment , an unlimited fine, or both First-time offenders with small amounts often receive fines,...
In Brief Attempted murder is one of the most serious criminal offences in England and Wales. The maximum sentence is life imprisonment , and the typical sentencing range runs from 3 to 40 years’ custody depending on the circumstances. Unlike...
UK law takes a serious view of sending inappropriate pictures, whether to adults or minors. The Online Safety Act 2023, which came into force in January 2024, introduced significant new offences including cyberflashing and enhanced penalties for sharing...
In Brief Yes, the police can press charges without the victim’s consent in the UK. In fact, victims do not “press charges” at all under English law. The decision to prosecute belongs to the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS),...
In Brief The sentence for rape in the UK ranges from 4 to 19 years , with life imprisonment possible for the most serious cases The minimum sentence is typically 4 years for Category 3 offences with lower culpability The maximum sentence is life...
In Brief If the police stop you in the street, they cannot force you to unlock your phone. However, if you are arrested, officers have the power to seize your phone as evidence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. Even after arrest, you...
In Brief Being released on bail without formal charges means police have arrested and released you while continuing their investigation. Under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, pre-charge bail has strict time limits—typically starting...
Pornography laws in the UK have changed significantly in recent years, particularly with the introduction of the Online Safety Act 2023 and mandatory age verification requirements that came into force in July 2025. This guide explains what is legal, what is...
Making a threat to kill is a serious criminal offence under UK law. If you or someone you know is facing charges, understanding the sentencing guidelines is essential. This guide explains what sentences courts can impose, how they calculate them, and what...
In Brief A No Further Action (NFA) letter is an official notification from the police confirming that an investigation is closed and a decision has been made that no criminal charges will be brought against you for that matter. Receiving an NFA letter...
If you have been cautioned, convicted, or found not guilty by reason of insanity for a sexual offence in the UK, you may be subject to strict police reporting, or "notification," requirements. Commonly referred to as the sex offenders register,...
A conviction in the UK criminal justice system requires the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt "beyond reasonable doubt." This is the highest standard of proof in law and is a central pillar of the principle that a person is presumed...
In an era of instant communication, where messages can be sent across the globe in seconds, the law has had to evolve to protect individuals from digital harm. While some communications may be considered merely rude or offensive, a specific category of...
Handling stolen goods is a serious criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968. In England and Wales, sentencing for this crime is based on guidelines issued by the Sentencing Council , which ensure a consistent and proportionate approach across the...
In England and Wales, the offence of intentional strangulation was created by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Since coming into force on 7 June 2022, there have been key developments in the sentencing guidelines for this serious crime. A dedicated guideline is...
When it comes to the offence of fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006, the Sentencing Council guidelines provide a structured framework for courts to determine an appropriate and proportionate penalty. This offence is...
Both affray and ABH are serious criminal offences with potentially severe consequences. Determining which is “worse” depends on the circumstances of the incident, the level of harm caused and how the courts assess the behaviour involved. At JD...
A person's right to communicate with others, including making a phone call, is a fundamental right while in police custody in England and Wales. However, this right is not absolute and can be delayed in certain, limited circumstances. The law governing...
A common concern for anyone facing a criminal allegation is how long after being charged do you go to court. The time between charge and the first court appearance varies depending on whether the person is released on bail or kept in custody, as well as the...
For anyone accused of a sexual assault, one of the most common and distressing questions is: How long does a sexual assault investigation take? The uncertainty surrounding the police process can cause immense anxiety. While some cases may be concluded...
Senior Partner and Head of Private Client Crime, Umar Zeb, returns this week from New York. Mr Zeb attended the Manhattan courthouse upon the invitation of the New York County Defender Service. The visit facilitated a valuable exchange between expert...
In the final week of November, I had the opportunity to visit the New York City Criminal Court in Manhattan, hosted by the New York County Defender Services (NYCDS). As a London defence lawyer, observing another major criminal justice system in operation...
If you are convicted of or plead guilty to speeding, your sentence will depend on the severity of the offence. It is likely to include points on your licence and a fine, and in more serious cases, you could face disqualification. The court will look at a...
JD Spicer Zeb has analysed the latest UK Government road safety statistics for 2024 to understand where collisions occur, who is affected, and what this means for road safety across the country. The data covers local authorities in the UK, detailing the...
In the UK, the legal framework categorises indecent images into three distinct categories (A,B and C) and are based on the severity and nature of the depicted content. These classifications, determined by police and guided by the Sentencing Council ,...
Receiving a court summons can be a very distressing experience. If you find yourself in such a situation, you will likely have several questions about what this means and what is going to happen next. In the following blog, our criminal law experts explain...
The consequences of a rape charge are significant. Even where a charge doesn’t lead to a conviction, your personal and professional lives can both be affected, often permanently. Understandably, having rape charges dropped altogether would appear to...
Being falsely accused of sexual assault or rape is an extremely distressing scenario. Even an accusation, let alone a charge or conviction, can have devastating consequences for every aspect of your life. It is essential that, if you are facing a false...
If you have been accused of controlling and coercive behaviour, it is extremely important that you understand the nature of the offence and the corresponding sentencing guidelines. The type of sentence that could be handed out for coercive and controlling...
The Metropolitan Police Service has announced plans to close nearly half of its front counters, leaving only eight in London open 24 hours a day. This decision, driven by a reported £260 million funding shortfall, marks a significant change to public...
Having your bail extended means that the police require more time to continue their investigation before deciding whether to charge you. An extension is not necessarily good or bad for your case, but it does mean that your obligations under bail conditions...
Obstructing a police officer is a criminal offence that can have serious consequences, even in cases where no physical force is used. Defined under Section 89(2) of the Police Act 1996, ‘obstruction’ covers any deliberate act that hinders an...
Malicious communications offences involve sending messages intended to cause distress or anxiety, whether by letter, email, text, social media or other electronic means. These cases are taken seriously by the courts, and sentences can range from fines and...
Allegations of perverting the course of justice are treated seriously by the criminal justice system and can carry severe consequences, including lengthy custodial sentences. In this article, we outline what constitutes perverting the course of justice, the...
The Home Office announced on 5 July 2025 that the organisation Palestine Action will become a proscribed group under UK terrorism law . This makes it a criminal offence to be a member of this group or to express support for them. Palestine Action is an...
Being released on bail is an important step in a criminal investigation or court case, but it is not the end of the process. Whether bail was granted by the police or the court, you will usually be required to follow certain conditions while your case...
Stalking is a serious criminal offence which can result in significant penalties upon conviction. A Stalking Protection Order (SPO) is a civil court order designed to restrict the behaviour of someone suspected of stalking, even if they have not been...
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